Cllr Niamh Smyth is calling on local people to be vigilant as around 120 old car tyres have been dumped in the river at Ardmone, Canningstown - the second such incident in recent weeks.

Appeal over illegal dumping in Canningstown

Published: Tue 2 Jul 2013, 9:41 AM

Last updated: Tue 2 Jul 2013, 10:57 AM

Paul Neilan

Gardai are appealing to locals in the Canningstown area about the illegal dumping of tyres in a river - for the second time in recent weeks.
An estimated 120 tyres were dumped in the river at Ardmone, Canningstown, some time between Tuesday, June 18, and Saturday, June 22.
Previously around 30 tyres had been cleared from the same spot by locals and used on farms.
Bailieborough councillor Niamh Smyth is urging locals to be vigilant and to search their memories if they saw anything suspicious in the area.
“It couldn’t have been easily done,” she said. “Obviously, after the first time, the same culprits, whoever they are, came back to the spot and dumped more tyres, probably hoping that they would be taken away as before.
“To get rid of 120 tyres would cost a lot of money and it’d be a big job. Just getting rid of them would require a lorry, a large van, maybe a trailer and couldn’t be done by just one person.

Disintegrating rubber
“I’m sure people are concerned with disintegrating rubber in the river, while it will be removed.
“It will take the council a few weeks because their staff are working on road resurfacing in the area but we are appealing for anyone to with information to get in touch with gardai or with the local text alert scheme. Don’t assume that something will not be relevant for gardai,” she said.
The car tyres are old and have no labels on them, they are effectively untraceable and locals believe that they must come from a business but do not think there is any local connection.
“It would have to be someone in business but we’ve no facts. I’m just asking people to get their thinking caps on,” said Cllr Smyth.
A spokesperson for the council said: “Cavan County Council received a complaint on June 24 which alleged that around 80 tyres were illegally dumped at Ardmone, Canningstown, County Cavan.
“The matter was investigated on June 25, when the details of the complaint were confirmed. Arrangements have been made for the removal of the tyres in this particular instance as soon as possible.”

Bailieborough Garda Station can be contacted on (042) 966 5102.